It’s not every day a hero pilot drops wheels in Colusa County just to help a displaced animal facing an uncertain future.
But that is exactly what Reno-based pilot Shawn Linch, a volunteer with Pilots N Paws, did on Friday.
Sophie, a 6-year-old Rat Terrier, had been in doggie-jail for so long, the Friends of the Colusa County Animal Shelter started calling her “Christmas,” because she remained locked up over the entire holiday season.
Sophie, who was never properly trained to overcome her breed’s charicteristic of going after small, furry creatures, had behavior issues that resulted in her losing her home with a family that had other pets.
Although she was good natured in most respects, Animal Control Officer Jenna Lambgino said Sophie’s tendency to go after cats and small dogs made prospective adoptees shy away from commitment.
“She’s a really sweet dog,” Lambgino said. “She just has some behaviors. We all love her and just want to see her go to a good home.”
Vowing not to give up on a dog that had so many positive attributes, Lambgino began working with Terrier Rescue – who reached out to another non-profit organization, Pilots N Paws, to retrieve Sophie from Colusa and take her to Reno, where she will receive specialized training to acclimate her to other animals, before she is placed up for adoption.
And on Friday, pilot Shawn Linch, based in Reno, made a quick 25 minute flight from the Silver State to California at the controls of an aviator’s dream, a Daher TBM turboprop jet.
“I have a little dog that is my life,” Linch said. “That is why I do this.”
Linch, who has been a pilot for eight years, volunteered with Pilots N Paws about three years ago, after seeing there was a need for animals to be relocated in order for them to have another chance at finding a new life in a good home.
“It’s very cool, and it gives me the excuse to fly, help out, and do cool stuff,” Linch said, before taking off on a return flight back to Reno.
Linch also works with Angel Flight, a nonprofit that arranges free air transportation for people who need to travel to receive life-saving medical treatment.
Lambgino said working with animal rescue organizations, including Pilots N Paws, results in rewards far more satisfying that just getting a dog out of the animal control system without euthanasia.
“It shows what lengths we will go to save them and find them a new home,” she said. ■